§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by what criteria appointments were made to the board of the London ambulance service; for how long their appointments will last; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe board of the London ambulance service was appointed by South West Thames regional health authority, which has overall responsibility for the London ambulance service. The five board members were chosen for the contributions they could make to the various activities of the LAS. Four were nominated by the Thames regional health authorities, and one member was the chairman of the former ambulance service panel. Each appointment is for two years.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are permissible for ambulance authorities to pay supplemental housing allowances for their chief officers; how many such arrangements have been approved by him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyHealth authorities have discretion to determine local conditions of service for senior national health service managers, including chief ambulance officers, subject to any overriding national agreement or direction. There is no applicable central 245W agreement providing for housing allowances, nor have Ministers been asked to approve any special arrangements.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will call for a report from the Hertfordshire ambulance service on its practice of charging hospice residents for use of non-emergency services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellI understand that Hertfordshire ambulance service is not charging national health service patients for transportation to and from hospices.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he or officials of his Department have held with the chair and chief officer of the London ambulance service.
§ Mr. DorrellMy right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State for Health met the chairman of the London ambulance service on his appointment, and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health met the chief executive of the LAS in October to discuss general issues. Additionally, the Department's ambulance adviser has regular, informal meetings with the chief executive of the LAS.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice is given to ambulance services concerning the purchase of computer information systems; what compatability exists between systems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellGeneral advice on the procurement of information technology has been issued to the national health service.
Decisions on the purchase of equipment for ambulance services rest with local health authority management who would have regard to prevailing local strategies for information systems and value for money.